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May 2, 2013

Muslim Taxi Driver, Iraq War Veteran Accuses Aviation Exec of Assault, Hate Crime 
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An aviation executive in Virginia is being investigated for potential
hate crime charges after he allegedly assaulted a Muslim taxi driver who
was driving him home. The driver, Mohamed Salim, is a former U.S.
sergeant who served in the Iraq War and at the Guantánamo Bay prison.
Salim says Ed Dahlberg, president of the company Emerald Aviation,
attacked him and broke his jaw after confronting him with anti-Muslim
slurs. Salim recorded some of Dahlberg's comments on his cell phone.

Ed Dahlberg: "Yes, if you're a f—-ing Muslim, flying jets into the
World Trade Center, then f—- you! I will slice your f—-ing
throat right now!"

Mohamed Salim: "So you're threatening me?"

Ed Dahlberg: "Yeah! Will you denounce it, will you say that it was bad?
No! You won't,"

Mohamed Salim: "Sir, whatever you say is recorded."

Ed Dahlberg: "I don't give a flying f—-."

Mohamed Salim: "I'm going to call 911 right now."

According to Salim, Dahlberg soon got out of the cab, but then returned
to punch Salim in the face, breaking his jaw. Dahlberg has been charged
with misdemeanor assault and police are weighing further charges. Salim
discussed his ordeal in an interview with The Washington Post.

Mohamed Salim: "I'm a U.S. Army sergeant reserve in the U.S. Army. I
sacrificed my life. I'm not a terrorist. I'm a Muslim and American in
the U.S. Army."

 

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